HOME PAGE Falkland Focus News from the Falkland Islands Government Number: 68 - September/October 1999	AN IDEAL PLACE FOR AN EXCITING AND UNUSUAL HOLIDAY
THIS PAGE - Focus on Tourism - Conservation - An oasis of wildlife - The Capital: Stanley - The 1982 Battlesites - Fishing in the Falklands - Information Box
PAGE 1 - British/Argentine Agreement Sealed - Royal Visitors at the Royal Show
PAGE 2 - Falkland Islands appoints new Chief Executive - Islands Councillors speak at the United Nations - Sporting success for the Islands - Commemorative coin - Students achieve A level success - Prince Charles joins Falklands Conservation - New Minister for the Falkland Islands - Fisheries Agreement update

Focus on Tourism

The Falkland Islands are a beautiful group of islands with outstanding wildlife, a temperate climate and friendly welcoming people. They are an ideal place for an exciting and unusual holiday. Over 20,000 tourists visit the Islands annually, the vast majority arriving on cruise ships in the summer months (November to March).

Tourist Board web site

Conservation

The increased tourist interest has been met with simultaneous conservation measures to protect and preserve the unique environment. Current work includes a survey of native plants, a penguin monitoring programme and a survey of seabirds at sea. The Falkland Islands Tourist Board is also sponsoring a six-month Tourism Impact survey.

An Oasis of Wildlife

The Falkland Islands are home to an array of magnificent wildlife who enjoy the unspoilt surroundings and environment of the Islands. The animals have nothing to fear and so can appear almost tame.

During the Islands temperate summer months the sheltered coves and shores become a maternity ward for giant elephant seals, southern sea lions and the huge black browed albatross. There are around two million penguins on the Islands.



The Capital - Stanley

An hour's drive from Mount Pleasant airport is the Islands capital, Stanley. With a population of 1700 residents, Stanley is a pleasant, lively place with a picturesque harbour front.

Among the sights to see are the fascinating museum, which tells the Islands story from the arrival of the first settlers from Britain in 1833, and the 100 year old Cathedral. Visitors can also follow a maritime history trail around Stanley harbour. Stanley also has pleasant shops to browse in and a selection of restaurants and pubs.

The 1982 Battlesites

The battlefields of Goose Green, Mounts Tumbledown and Longdon, and Wireless Ridge are accessible from Stanley and day tours can be arranged. Visitors may also wish to pay their respects to the fallen of both sides in cemeteries at San Carlos and Darwin.

Fishing In the Falklands

Although somewhat spate dependent, the rivers of the Falklands can offer world-class fly-fishing. Trout were introduced to the Islands over forty years ago. They migrate to the oceans every year and return in the spring. Falkland mullet, in the shallower sea pools, are also an exciting catch. A Scottish visitor holds the record for landing a twenty-two pound trout on the San Carlos River.

The best time for fishing is springtime (Sept/Oct) or autumn (March/April).

Information Box When to visit: Summer is from November to February. How to get there: The RAF has a regular service from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire with civilian places available. The 18-hour journey is broken by a short re-fuelling stop at Ascension Island. The flight costs approx. £1414 (APEX) return. Contact the travel co-ordinator at the Falkland Islands Government office on 0171 222 2542 for more information. LanChile operates a weekly flight (Saturday) from Santiago to the Islands via Punta Arenas in Chile. From 16 October there will be monthly stops in Rio Gallegos in Argentina. Flights can be booked through travel agents. Accommodation: There is a good range of accommodation from comfortable hotels in Stanley to cosy B&Bs and tourist lodges in Camp. Some farms also welcome paying guests. Getting Around: Getting to most places of interest is by road or plane; nine-seater Islander aircraft are run by FIGAS, the Government air service. Shopping: Falklands wool is world-renowned for its softness and organic quality and shops sell jumpers, hats, gloves etc as well as other locally produced souvenirs. Contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Falkland House, 14 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BH. T: 0171 222 2542 F: 0171 222 2375 email: rep@falklands.gov.fk or manager@tourism.org.fk Or see the local service providers' page on the Tourist Board web site at www.tourism.org.fk

PAGE 1 British/Argentine Agreement Sealed - Royal Visitors at the Royal Show

PAGE 2 Falkland Islands appoints new Chief Executive - Islands Councillors speak at the United Nations - Sporting success for the Islands - Commemorative coin - Students achieve A level success - Prince Charles joins Falklands Conservation - New Minister for the Falkland Islands - Fisheries Agreement update




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